“The United States may have lost its claim to global leadership,” said German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in a speech officially opening the Munich Security Conference (MSC). He also praised Radosław Sikorski, recalling his 2011 remarks that were later dubbed the “Berlin tribute.”
Merz spoke, among other things, about the state of relations between the United States and Europe. The chancellor assessed that the international order based on law and rules — which “was fragile even at the height of its glory” — now “in practice no longer exists.” One of the reasons for this situation, he noted, is “Russia’s brutal revisionism.”
“China is systematically exploiting other countries’ dependencies and redefining the international order to its own advantage. If there was a ‘unipolar moment’ after the fall of the Berlin Wall, it is now over. The United States’ claim to leadership has been challenged — and perhaps even lost,” Merz said.
“We Europeans are also preparing for this new era. However, we are drawing different conclusions than the administration in Washington,” he admitted.
“We are not at the mercy of this world. We can shape it,” he declared.
“Radek Told Us”
He referred to Sikorski’s words from 2011.
“Fifteen years ago, Radek Sikorski told us Germans: ‘I fear German power less than I am beginning to fear German inactivity.’ These two elements are part of our responsibility, stemming from our history and our geographical position. We accept that responsibility,” the chancellor stated.
Merz reiterated his commitment to making the Bundeswehr the strongest army in Europe. He added that he had spoken with French President Emmanuel Macron about European nuclear deterrence.
He called for “jointly restoring transatlantic trust,” while assessing that Europeans are “doing their part” in this effort.
The chancellor also advocated for Europe and Germany to forge new alliances and strengthen existing ones — not only with the United States, but also with Brazil, India, and South Africa.
The Munich Security Conference, the most important annual European gathering devoted to security policy, is currently underway in the Bavarian capital.
Participants include NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Poland is represented by Prime Minister Donald Tusk and Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski.
The “Berlin Tribute”
It is worth recalling that in 2011, at the headquarters of the German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP), Sikorski delivered remarks later referred to as the “Berlin tribute.”
“I will probably be the first Polish foreign minister in history to say this, but I will say it: I fear German power less than I am beginning to fear German inactivity. Germany has become Europe’s indispensable nation. You cannot afford to fail in leadership. You must not dominate, but you must lead reform,” Sikorski said.